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August 26, 2009
SENT by Margaret Peterson Haddix
For everyone who has read Margaret Peterson Haddix's book, FOUND, the first book in THE MISSING series and have waited patiently to find out what happened to Jonah, his sister, Katherine, and his friend, Chip. The answers can be found in Haddix's SENT.
We left the three young people along with a fourth, Alex, leaving the cave as time travelers. They were headed to the fifteenth century. It seems Chip and Alex were the young princes imprisoned in the Tower of London by their uncle the Duke of Gloucester or King Richard the Third of England. Eventhough Uncle Richard was third in line to be king; he wanted the throne for himself, so there was a plan to murder the young princes. This was the reason the young princes were saved and taken to the 21st Century. Was it possible Chip and Alex were being sent back to be murdered or can they be saved? What is going to happen to Jonah and Katherine, since they do not belong in the fifteenth century? The young people must rely on the Time Travelers from the future, but can these people from the future be trusted?
Since there is an element of historical accuracy, we know that no one really knows what happened to the two princes, but our author tells a pretty good tale. I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE WHO READ THE FIRST BOOK, IS INTERESTED IN ENGLISH HISTORY, AND IS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services
Posted by fjacksonem at 5:15 PM | Comments (0)
August 17, 2009
DEAR JULIA by Amy Bronwen Zemser
As a long time fan of Julia Child I was excited when I saw a trailer for the new film, JULIE/JULIA. I was even more excited, when I was browsing the fiction shelves and found a book entitled DEAR JULIA by Amy Bronwen Zemser. This story is the tale of two loners.
There is Elaine Hamilton who knew at age six she wanted to be a chef and began her correspondence with her favorite chef, Julia Child, but being a loner was afraid to mail the letters. When she was eight Elaine's Dad gave her the boxed set of the MASTERING THE ART OF FRENCH COOKING, Volumes one and two by Julia Child, so she the Cook for the family which included four brothers. Her father would encourage her and say, "Delicious, Elaine. Just delicious.' (page 5) Her mother was a Representative to the U.S. House of Representatives and was usually busy. This was Elaine's dream and she tried to keep it to herself.
The other was Isadora Wilhelminetta Fischburger. She hated that name, so she called herself, Lucinda Sans. If that sounds familiar, it is the name of a font on the computer. Lucinda wanted to be famous. It did not matter what; Lucinda just wanted to be famous. She tried baton twirling, ballet, singing, modern dance and always tried out for school plays. Lucinda had a style all her own, which may have been the reason for a lack of friends, but had Moms who adored her.
When the girls entered their junior year of high school, they meet at the annual New Platz (N,Y.) Festival on the Green. Elaine was representing her Mom at the Congresswoman's booth. Lucinda was preparing to do a few scenes from Romeo and Juliet with the object of her affection, the handsome Croton Harmon. Lucinda accidently sets the Festival on fire; and the girls speak to each other. Out-going Lucinda takes on shy Elaine and the adventure begins.
If you looking for two new friends, pick up DEAR JULIA. I RECOMMEND THIS BOOKS FOR GIRLS IN GRADE 7 THROUGH 10 AND FOR JULIA CHILD FANS.
Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services
East Meadow Public Library
Posted by fjacksonem at 1:49 PM | Comments (0)
August 5, 2009
THE LIGHTNING THIEF by Rick Riordan
As I sat in the movie theatre waiting for the long anticipated sixth Harry Potter movie, I watched the coming attractions including the picture books, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and Where the Wild Things Are. Although I knew those books, it was a young adult novel that caught my attentions. Several years back a Harry Potter expert spoke at an End of Summer Program and highly recommended PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS. I made a mental note to read it, but like many suggestions they remain on a list, however, the movie trailer for THE LIGHTNING THIEF by Rick Riordan reminded to read it.
Percy Jackson, 12 -year-old, is dyslexic and has ADHD. He has never spent more than one year at any school,because there are always strange things happening to him. At his current school, Yancy Academy, Percy is on a class trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to visit the Greek and Roman stuff. While sitting on the Museum steps eating lunch, Percy finds himself in the middle of a fight and is forced to follow Mrs. Dodds, the math teacher back into the museum.
Back in the Greek and Roman exhibit Mrs. Dodds reminds Percy she is not a fool and begins to change form. "Her eyes began to glow like barbecue coals. Her fingers stretched, turning into talons. Her jacket melted into large, leathery wings. She wasn't human." ( The Lightning Thief, p. 12) To save his life Percy must defeat his math teacher or whatever she was. After returning to the museum steps, Percy discovers there is no teacher named Mrs. Dodds.
As summer vacation begins Percy and his mother try to spend a few days on eastern Long Island away from his stepfather. The trip is cut short, because forces beyond Percy's control takes over. He discovers his best friend is a satyr (half-man, half-goat), and his mother must get him to the summer camp for the children of the Greek Gods. As they try to reach camp Percy must fight a minotaur, and that is only the beginning of the adventure. Who could his Dad be, Zeus, Hades or Posiden? As Percy learns the ins and outs of being a hero, he also learns that heroes must embark on quests; what an adventure for a 12-year-old boy a quest to save Western civilization from the warring Greek gods.
THE LIGHTNING THIEF is just the beginning of Percy's adventures. The other titles are THE SEA OF MONSTERS, THE TITAN'S CURSE, THE BATTLE OF THE LABYRINTH, and THE LAST OLYMPIANS. Just a tease THE SEA OF MONSTERS has the Cyclops, actually two of them.
I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS LOVE GREEK MYTHOLOGY AND LOVES ADVENTURES ABOUT FRIENDSHIP.
Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services
Posted by fjacksonem at 2:10 PM | Comments (0)
August 1, 2009
DURANGO STREET
The book DURANGO STREET by Frank Bonham is a great read for all readers. In this book Rufus Henry was sent to detention camp because he was charged for grand theft auto. After many months Rufus is realesed from the camp and is let off in parole. According to Rufus's parole he must not join a gang under any circumstances. On the first day Rufus encounters a gang called the Gassers because his sister had told the police information about them. Now Rufus already has a gang after him. Now Rufus has no choice but to violate his parole, and look for a join a gang so he can have protection from the Gassers. The next day Rufus goes to meet his friend Walter Gibson and his gang the Moors. Walter Gibson is Rufus's friend from the detention camp. When Rufus asks the gang leader Bantu to join, Bantu hesitates. After some minutes of tough decisions Bantu lets Rufus join the Moors. Will Rufus be able to survive in the projecks? Find out by reading Durango street.
I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR READER WHO LOVE ACTION AND SUSPENSE I ALSO RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR READERS ENTERING GRADES EIGHT THROUGH TWELVE.
Yash Shah
W. Tresper Clarke Middle School
Grade 8
Posted by fjacksonem at 10:00 AM | Comments (0)